cliff negotiations. oklahoma representative tom cole who broke ranks with republicans by embracing president obama's plan to raise taxes on the wealthy stuck to his guns this morning. >> if we can give the american people an early christmas present, if they can listen to the debate instead of be worried that their own taxes are going to go up, i think that actually strengthens our hand. i haven't changed my mind. i'm not going to come out here and be disingenuous to people. i think it would be a step in the right direction. >> today john boehner expressed disappointment at where the negotiations stand. as our first read team points out, by siding with the white house tom cole may be helping boehner get the deal he wants. joining me now, political editor mark murray. why do you think tom cole has strengthened the speaker's position, negotiating position he goes in with? >> it has given john boehner some cover. you now have a conservativconse albeit establishment member of the house republican party who is